Escape from the Iljinhoe Project 11

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# Chapter 11

When I left the classroom, a cool breeze brushed against my cheeks. The weather was fantastic. Hmm… at this point, I might as well sleep in the infirmary. Even if I stayed in class, I’d obviously just be slumped over my desk the whole time because of the medicine.

There was no one in the infirmary. Oh, sweet! I was satisfied knowing I could sleep comfortably without anyone bothering me. I lay down on the bed in the furthest corner, pulled the curtains shut decisively, and sprawled out. Wow, amazing. It was incredibly soft. Strangely, infirmary beds were never this plush. The fact that it’s the same here proves that the infirmary is indeed the primary location for skipping class… wait, how did I reach that conclusion?

My stomach still didn’t feel good. Ah, I’m hungry… Back in middle school, I once got indigestion but was so hungry that I ignored the pain and ate whatever I wanted. And then I got indigestion again. That time it was seriously bad. I suffered so much that I thought I might die. I don’t think I’ve ever cried that hard before.

Anyway, maybe I developed some trauma from that, because ever since, no matter how hungry I got, I wouldn’t eat when I had indigestion. And this time too, I plan not to eat until I’m completely better. I’ll eat when I’m better, no problem. That’s always been my approach…

I must have fallen asleep like that. And when I woke up, lunch time was long gone, and it was already afternoon class time. Wow… impressive, Gu Haejin! You fell asleep during first period and woke up in the afternoon! Of course, I missed classes again. Hahaha. It’s not like I’m someone who decides to diet but keeps eating and saying “I’ll start tomorrow!” in an endless loop. No, seriously, when will my dream of studying normally ever come true?!

Still, after sleeping, my body feels lighter than before. This morning I really felt like I was dying… Hmm. Ah, I feel good now. Alright, now let’s really go to class! After quickly straightening the bed sheets, I opened the infirmary door with more spirited steps than usual.

“AAAHHH!!”

Oh my god!! I almost had a heart attack!!

I seriously thought my heart was going to burst from shock in that moment. What the hell, why are you here?!

“…Shin Amin?!”

Oh, shit. I seriously thought you were a ghost, you bastard…

I stared at Shin Amin with slightly resentful eyes. Why did you have to appear right when I opened the door? Can’t you see how startled I am? Hoo-ah, hoo-ah. Deep breaths. Despite my intense reaction, he maintained his expressionless face, just like every time I’ve seen him.

“That.”

Whoa. That’s the first time I’ve heard his voice.

Shin Amin spoke in such a quiet voice that if there had been even a little noise around, or if I hadn’t been listening carefully, I wouldn’t have heard him. He sp-spoke. Oh. That’s interesting. Since being reincarnated as Gu Haejin, I had never heard his voice. Compared to his neat features, his voice was deeper than I expected… a baritone. Damn, I’m exposed. His voice is seriously cool. I’ve always wanted a deep voice like that. Like a cave!

Wait, what did he say? That?

Now that I think about it, Shin Amin’s gaze was fixed on one spot. What are you looking at? As I followed his gaze, I suddenly gasped when I saw the transparent medicine packet sticking out of my uniform pocket. Gasp!

“Haha… this? It’s nothing. Absolutely nothing!”

I don’t know why, maybe I was embarrassed about having indigestion, but I unconsciously tried to brush it off and roughly stuffed the medicine packet back into my pocket. Because of that, Shin Amin’s face wrinkled a bit… I think? Since he’s so expressionless, it’s hard to tell. Hmph.

“Why are you here anyway?”

“…I was looking for the Apex.”

Huh? Me? Why?

Shin Amin, who briefly closed his mouth at my confused reaction, looked at me as if something was strange.

“The Devil staff meeting always starts at 3 p.m. on Tuesdays. You set it yourself, Apex.”

…Oh, for fuck’s sake.

What was I expecting? It always ends up like this!

What the hell is a Devil staff meeting?! Why would a school gang need meetings?! And the fact that I supposedly set it up gives me the creeps! Wait. Three o’clock? Isn’t that still during class time? Isn’t it?! You insane past self! Looking at it now, you were really out of control. There was a reason the English teacher told me to get out earlier!

“Right. Let’s go. Let’s go.”

This was resignation.

I’ve finally been defeated by this endless world of fighting spirit tests. Ah, no. I can’t fall like this…

With a feeling of being forced to eat mustard while crying, I followed Shin Amin and somehow arrived at Shinju High School’s rooftop. Nice. Isn’t the school rooftop the standard setting when it comes to school gangs in fiction! In reality, most school rooftops are firmly locked with padlocks and strictly prohibit student access, but somehow in novels, they’re magical spaces where gang members come and go as they please! Yoohoo! I’ve finally cleared this level too! …Ugh. I hate it. I hate this.

The rooftop door opened with a dull thud, not even rusty, but with a satisfying sound. I thought rooftop door sounds were usually more like “creeeeak”… I guess this is some kind of differentiation!

On the rooftop, the Devil staff members, whom I think I saw when we were drinking the other day, were standing at attention in a group. Kids these days are impressively built. Even when I’m in uniform, I don’t think people outside would believe I’m a high school student… Across from the staff members were, as expected, Park Hanseo and Jung Ion, who were clearly higher in rank.

As soon as I opened the door, they all shouted:

“Good afternoon, Devil Apex Senior Gu Haejin!!”

Oh shit.

Don’t do that!

Stop it!!

Don’t do that!!!

My face instantly soured at the actions of all the gang members, not just the trio, who were greeting me so loudly the school might shake. Fuck. No matter how much I think about it, I can’t get used to this! You’re not gangsters, so stop greeting me with that whole “boss” posture…! Plus, classes are in session right now—what a public nuisance!

“Haejin! Where have you been all day?”

Jung Ion quickly approached me after grinding out his cigarette with his foot. A cigarette? He’s still in high school. Huh? That feels strangely familiar? His style is artistic! Still, since I’m a few years older than these kids, my inner old man suddenly peeked out. I couldn’t bring myself to say it out loud though. I’m timid, after all.

I just looked glumly at Ion as he grabbed my shoulders and asked. I was sleeping. Would he laugh if I said that? As I remained silent, Park Hanseo asked from the side.

“Apex, yesterday, what exactly…”

“Yesterday?”

“Yes! We were all so surprised…”

“I went to the hospital.”

Huh?

The atmosphere turned awkward at my answer. Is going to the hospital such a bad thing? What’s wrong with everyone? As everyone stared at me with unsettling gazes, I rolled my eyes around, trying to read the room. Finally, thinking “whatever,” I smiled broadly. Let’s be as sweet as possible.

“I’m really totally fine? Hahaha.”

“……”

“…Haha… ha…”

You bastards! What are you dissatisfied with? Why are your expressions darkening?

Is my smile that bad, you jerks? Right, a guy’s smile would just give you the creeps. Huh? Yeah. Let’s just have that damn meeting!

“…So what is this meeting about?”

After letting out a deep sigh, I asked, and Jung Ion, as if coming to his senses, put on a serious face and spoke in a low voice.

“…I’ll give you a situation report. Apex Gu Haejin, please listen carefully.”

Damn it. I’m dying of anxiety.

I already felt goosebumps rising, so I rubbed my arms unnecessarily.

Please let me survive this conversation without dying of embarrassment. Amen.